Q: I don’t know what wedding party gifts to get because I don’t want to get them something generic or lame. What do you think about a framed photo? Also, can I give them the gift after the wedding?

Wedding party gifts can be difficult because what you typically see and hear about (and even have maybe received) are usually the same things, jewelry for the girls and cufflinks or money clips or ties for the boys. The reason you see these same gifts so often is because they are easy gifts to give. It is something that helps pull together the outfit for the wedding and something they’d need to get anyway. However, I urge you to think a little more outside the box.

While gifting your wedding party accessories for their wedding outfit is great, it also means that the gift itself isn’t very personal. It’s more important to you (to make them look a certain way) that it will ever be to them. Instead, thinking about what you want to get them, think about what they would enjoy as a gift. Novel idea, right?

I usually suggest to my couples to think their wedding party gifts similarly to a birthday present or Christmas present. It’s the same concept where you want to get them something they’d like and fits their taste. And you don’t have to get all of your bridesmaids or groomsmen the same thing either. Don’t feel trapped into getting them all the same clutch or getting all the guys the same watch. Think about them individually instead of as a group and you should be able to come up with something you think they’d each love. This gift is a thank you to them for standing by your side and being a part of your day, so make it personal.

This leads to my answer on the second half of the question which is that I think a framed photo or something photo related is wonderful. It can be a special photo from your past with them or from the wedding. Just make sure it’s a photo they’d want (and look good in) like a photo of the two of you and not of a picture of the entire wedding party.

Lastly, while most couples give out their wedding party gifts prior to the wedding, I do think it’s okay to give your them their gifts after the wedding, but just don’t wait too long. Try to give them out within a month of the wedding if possible, so that your thank you doesn’t come too late after all they’ve done.